Network Block

OIT actively runs network scans to ensure the safety and integrity of our network, and most importantly to protect our users. If a device is discovered to be infected or misconfigured, it will be blocked. The length of the block depends on the severity of the issue.

The most common reasons why your network access may be blocked are:

You computer, smartphone or tablet is infected with malware.

You computer, smartphone or tablet is running an application that is 'sweeping' our network.

You have a DMCA complaint.

How will I know I've been blocked?

When you network access is blocked, you will see a screen telling you that your account may have been compromised and to call the OIT Help Desk. When doing so, please provide the following:

Your full name

Your UCInetID (the first part of your email address, not your ID number)

We need this information in order to investigate the reason for the block.

I'm blocked due to malware detected on my system.

If you're blocked due to malware, it means an infected application is running on your device and it is scanning our network looking for other devices to infect. If we can see the exact name of the offending application, we'll share that with you. You must remove the offending application before you'll regain access.

How To Get Unblocked

Turn off Wi-Fi on your smartphone and use your cellular data to look for an email from either OIT Security or ResNet Security. The email will tell you why you were blocked, to remove the offending application and to reply to the email once that's done. The block will be lifted within a few business days.

Unfortunately, the Help Desk cannot assist you with removing the application and we cannot lift the block. We strongly suggest you partner with AntTech for assistance.

I'm blocked due to an 'auto-block'

If you're 'auto-blocked', it means your computer is running an application or service that is not allowed on our network because it will disrupt service for others. Examples include:

Port-scanning software that 'sweeps' (or searches) the network looking for other devices to connect with.

Non-sanctioned email servers or DNS servers that broadcast their services to the network.

By default, these auto-blocks last no more than 60 minutes and fall off automatically (hence the name). However, if our network scans discover that the offending application or service is still running, you will be auto-blocked again for a longer period of time.

How To Get Unblocked

You should partner with your local CSC (if you're using a UCI-owned computer) or AntTech (if this is a personal computer) for assistance with removing the offending application.

On rare occasions, your device will pick up an IP address that used to belong to a device that was auto-blocked in the recent past. If this occurs, open a ticket with the Help Desk and provide the IP address of the 'stale IP block' to have it removed. Typically these are removed within 1 business day.

I'm blocked due to a DMCA complaint.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act requires UCI to block Internet access to those individuals who have used their network accounts to download copyrighted content. UCI takes DMCA complaints very seriously and your account will be suspended until further action is taken.

This process can take a few days, so if you'd like a status update you may call OAISC or send them an email.

Others: Contact your departmental computing support (CSC) for guidance, which generally involves purging the affected machine of malware, file-sharing software, and unlicensed copyrighted material, and other administrative processes defined by your department. If you need help identifying your CSC, contact the Help Desk at (949) 824-2222.

How do I get unblocked?

Contact the Help Desk at (949) 824-2222 to find out why you were blocked. Please note that sometimes the phone agent will not be able to see the reason why you are blocked and will need to open a ticket to escalate the issue. When this occurs, someone will be in touch by phone or email soon thereafter to explain the reason for the block.

The Help Desk cannot provide you with an update and cannot unblock you.

Malware Blocks

Turn off Wi-Fi on your smartphone and use your cellular data to look for an email from either OIT Security or ResNet Security. The email will tell you why you were blocked, to remove the offending application and to reply to the email once that's done. The block will be lifted within a few business days. Unfortunately, the Help Desk cannot assist you with removing the application and we cannot lift the block. We strongly suggest you partner with AntTech for assistance.

Auto-Blocks

Auto-blocks will come off automatically in 60 minutes. However, if our network scans notice that the offending application or service is still running, you will be auto-blocked again for a longer period of time. You should partner with your local CSC (if you're using a UCI-owned computer) or AntTech (if this is a personal computer) for assistance with removing the offending application.

On rare occasions, your device will pick up an IP address that used to belong to a device that was auto-blocked in the recent past. If this occurs, open a ticket with the Help Desk and provide the IP address of the 'stale IP block' to have it removed. Typically these are removed within 1 business day.